The more sceptical among us will find this hard to believe. But cynicism comes at a price.

Research shows that people who take a dim view of the world and those around them earn less.

The difference is far from insubstantial, with the most cynical taking home £200 ($305) a month less, on average, than the most trusting types.

Research shows that people who take a dim view of the world and those around them earn less than their trusting colleagues. The difference is far from insubstantial, with the most cynical taking home £200 ($305) a month less, on average, than the most trusting types (stock image)

With the difference in earnings not explained away by suspicious sorts being more prone to ill health and more introverted, the German researchers believe that cynicism itself is to blame.

It is thought that by refusing to trust others and work as a team, cynics reduce their prospects of promotion.

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Social psychologist Dr Olga Stravrova from the University of Cologne came to the conclusion after drawing together the information from a series of previous studies into the topic.

The first three had been carried out in the US and Germany involved comparing a person's level of cynicism with their income.

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You might think that good-looking men have every advantage in life.

But a new study suggests being handsome may not always work in a man's favour – at least when it comes to his career.

The research claims that attractive men are less likely to be given a job in a competitive workplace because they intimidate bosses.

'It's not always an advantage to be pretty,' says Marko Pitesa, an assistant professor at the University of Maryland. 'It can backfire if you are perceived as a threat.'

Interestingly, in the study, it was male attractiveness in particular, rather than female beauty, that made the most difference.

If the interviewer expected to work with the candidate as part of a team, then he preferred good-looking men.

However, if the interviewer saw the candidate as a potential competitor, the interviewer discriminated in favour of unattractive men.

Cynicism was determined by asking questions such as 'Do you believe that most people would exploit if they had the opportunity?' and 'Would you say that most of the time, people attempt to be helpful or only act in their own interests?'

The studies showed that cynics earned less in years to come, even when their starting salary was taken into account.

Wages barely rose at all over nine years among the most sceptical and distrustful.

It could prevent them from taking part in teamwork and from asking for help when needed.

Plus, investing too much energy in back covering leaves less time to do a job properly.

Meanwhile, managers who don't trust their employees are less likely to delegate which could lead to problems in the long-run.

The final study looked to see if cynics earn less around the world.

This was important, as it may be that in a country where everyone has a cynical outlook, or where crime rates or poverty are high, it is beneficial not to trust others too much.

Data on societal attitudes, murder rates and charity donations from 41 countries were used to draw up a league of cynicism and the results compared with income.

The researchers said that being too suspicious could hold people back because it prevents them from taking part in teamwork and from asking for help when needed. Plus, investing too much energy in back covering leaves less time to do a job properly. This can harm their chances of getting a promotion (stock image)

This revealed the link between cynicism and lower earning power to be strongest in the countries with the sunniest outlook on life.

However, only in Macedonia, one of the most cynical places of all, did having a suspicious outlook boost salary.

Dr Stavrova said, that Macedonia aside, cynicism doesn't pay.

And with previous research showing cynics to be at higher risk of a host of problems, from heart disease to unhappy marriages, she advises that we try to see the best in others.

She said: 'Overcoming cynical beliefs and building faith in humanity can help us enhance our financial wellbeing by reaping the fruits of mutual co-operation under most circumstances.